Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-08-01
AN ERROR IN JUDGMENT.
Paying Public Examiners out OF Insan
EkORuftal EuadH

Paying Public Examiners out OF Iusane
Hospital EHads.
Governor Pierce in the Dakota de-
partment of the st, Paul Pioneer Press
/ was inclined to thlnk that the letter
quoted III Mr.. Bowen's communication
last Saturday as coming from Auditor
Ward was q mistake; that what was
really intended was to pay the vouchers
of Examiner Harris out of the inolden-
tai fund created for that purpose in
stead of out of the hospital fund. But
L lind on inquiry that the vouchers we're
actually paid from the hospital fund.
This is unauthorized. 1t is indeed a
very awkward proceeding, and should
be corrected before it leads to embarrass.
ment. Not only may the auditor be
placed in an uncomfortable position, but
the examiner is subjected to misappre-
heDsion. Section 8 of the examiner law
appropriates $4,000 annually for the
salary of the public examiner and $3.50 for
the ~'incldental expenses of his Office
II then declares that sit any ex-
aminer shall directly or indirectly re
ceive any COMPENSATION or pay for any
services or extra service or neglect OF
service other than is provided In this act,
he shall be deemed guilty of O felony,
and on conviction thereof shall be sub
iect to a fine of not exceeding $4,000 or
imprisonment in the territorial prison
not exceeding ten years. OF both, in the
discretion OF the court" III Examine,
Harris made out his accounts expecting
them to be paid from his own incidental
fund, he is not to blame for the mistake
III Bismarck, q this is the probable
fact. The matter should not be allowed
to remain in itB present shape, however
as Auditor Ward will probably see wher
he comes to examine the subject.
FURTHER PIoNEER PRESS COMMENTS.
We make room this morning for i
letter from Auditor Ward n answer Il
the communication Of Mr. Bowen in las
Saturdays Pioneer Press. The letter is
ably written, and shows the auditor Il
be no novice in the art of nevspape
~controversy. We think Mr.. Ward haE
fallen into an error in particular, ant
We call attention to the matter more fol
the purpose Of saving him from faturI
embarrassment in case of mistake thai
Ifrom any desire to critieise his position
BE says the law creating the Office o
public examiner provides for the pay
ment of the expenses OF investigation
out of the hospital fund. This is certain
ly erroneous. The law requires the ex.
aminer to Investigate the condition o
insurance and other companies and cor
porations, es we'll as public institutions
1t therefore provides that
When necessary to employ ~stenogrn
pliers or other clerical help the expense
incurred therefor shall be collected b
the examiner from the company or col
Grafton in interest.
It is scarcely necessary TO say that /
no sense is the Dakota hospital for th
. insane accompany or q corporation
within the meaning Of the law. Th
, auditor has evidently made a mistake
not surprising or criminal, but on
which might be committed by the ableI
and best OF officials. The easiest wa
out OF the matter. when he satisfies hin
sell that an error has been commltte'
is to frankly admit and oorrrct il; an
this we have no doubt ne will do.